Here is a taster of what you could find in Thailand if you have a care to. I will not be using specific place names or any real names of the people featured and photos will not include recognisable faces. This is for the protection of the children featured.
After a busy year running a childrens home in Chiang Mai I was in much need of a good rest. During the Songkran period I had determined to give the children 3 weeks with their families and for myself to find somewhere to relax and think of nothing.
I had thought of trying to find a Temple somewhere and asking to stay but as it happened I was invited to stay in one of the Mountain villages that one our children comes from.
This is the first part of the story of a perfect retreat for me.
Having taken the truck for testing and new Tax Disc the day before we left Chiang Mai at around 5pm , (myself, assistant Somboon and 6 children), setting off on the long drive to Nan Province.
After doing this drive in the day time last year I decided the cool of night time would be much easier.
Making several rest stops on the way we reached Nan bus station at just past 4.30.
Last years journey took 7 hours so you can see we took our time this year.
Leaving the bus station at just after 6 am we then had to travel to a couple of different villages to drop the children off with their familes.
First it was our two eldest girls at their hilltribe village.
It was good to see that the long dirt track to their village is now a tarmacked road.
Last years drive led to a broken suspension soon after.
As you can see from the photos most of the houses are basic bamboo houses with the floors being the earth that the house is built on.
As in many such villages many of these small houses accommodate extended families in very cramped conditions.
Another half an hours drive took us to where we dropped off Nu, Som and Tai.
With just the eldest boy left we first headed back to Nan City in order to sort out Boons bus ticket back to Chiang Mai where he would be taking care of the home and our 5 dogs.
We had a much needed breakfast stop on the way and then after sorting the ticket it was another hour and fifty minutes drive to our final destination, a very isolated Mountain Moobahn.
Nestled amongst the tips of a group of mountains, well off the tourist trail, it was the perfect place for my holiday.
Khruu Khemtong Punyoyai,from Huay Sai school has been running an annual English Camp for several years now.
San Kampaeng Hotsprings is such a good choice of venue; with camping at very economical prices; the ambience of the gardens and of course, the luxury of the Hot Springs.
The ethos of the weekend was that above all it should be fun. All students were told not to worry about making mistakes with the language and not to take it to seriously, but to enjoy the experience of the weekend and the opportunity to practise their English with English speakers.
Each trainer had 10 or 11 students and we had a very good workbook to follow, carefully compiled by Khruu Khemtong.The day was split into short work sessions; both sitting with the book and strolling around the grounds for survey and map drawing;and freetime for both children and trainers to relax.
The children had plenty of time inbetween the ‘work’ to enjoy the facilities at the Hot Springs, paddling in the manmade Hot Spring ‘stream’, wandering around the site when the work day finished at 4pm, swimming in the big pool.
There was more singing and after dinner it was Party Time. Whilst the 2 Dutch trainers went home to sleep, Sue and myself stayed and Sue really got into the spirit of the Party with an impromptu dance that got all the kids on their dancing toes to.
Just before the party started, a large fire was lit and as the evening went on the children cooked kaow lam and toasted crackers on the fire.
Although I was surprised to see the best singer hiding under a table whilst performing, clearly shy to perform infront of his friends.
It was lovely waking up to the peaceful surroundings and relaxing atmosphere of the Hot Springs gardens.
Although all the kids were there it was mostly the boys that got into the pool, the girls possibly too shy.
At around 11.30 the school Director, Mr Hirun Chainu,came to officially close the camp and to issue certificates to all children and trainers. 
And I would like my group for being such fun.
Today,( thursday-10th dec), I went for lunch with my friend Ally and then onto a wireless cafe where Ally kindly gave me first instructions on how to operate the on line shop that she has set up for my Foundation website.
The children at Stratton House have been home all day as schools are closed for the next 4 days; not sure why except that today is apparently Democracy Day. They have been kept busy with yet more art classes from Boon.
